Ski boot stiffening



H. C. KUETER Nov. 5, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 1967 INVENTOR. HUBERT c. KUETER BY WWYWM FIG.2

ATTORNEYS v Nov. 5, 1968 c, KUETER 3,408,754

SKI BOOT STIFFENING Filed July 3, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HUBERT C. KUETER ATTORNEYS 3,408,754 SKI BOOT STIFFENING Hubert C. Kueter, RR. 2, Oakland, Maine 04963 Filed July 3, 1967, Ser. No. 650,788 Claims. c1. 36-2.5)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE lower-pair of straps with the lower pair of straps being pivotally attached to each plate. The lower edge of each plate is connected to astirrup that is secured to the bottom of the ski boot sole adjacent to the boot heel.

Background of the. invention The present invention relates in general to ski boot stiffening and more particularly concerns novel structure for restoring the stiffness to older ski boots, for protecting new ski boots and assuring retention of stiffness,

and for reinforcing relatively inexpensive boots to provide the stiffness of expensive boots, but at lower cost while eliminating the complicated and dangerous use of long thongs.

Stiff ski boots are a prerequisite for expert skiing and edge control. Such a degree of stiffness is however usually only available in costly ski boots. And even in expensive boots, the degree of stiffness lessens as the boot ages. Of great importance is the provision of means for preventing the heel from slipping around in the boot. Long thongs are usually employed to prevent heel slippage and to provide additional ankle support. But. the use of long thongs is both complicated and dangerous.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide methods and means for stiffening ski boots effectively and economically for relatively long periods of time.

It is another object of the invention to achieve the preceding object while additionally preventing heel slipa e. P ft is still a further object of the invention to achieve the preceding objects in a manner suitable for use on new or old boots, boots that may be relatively inexpensive.

Summary of the invention According to the invention, each side of the boot includes means defining a side plate of rigid material that extends above and below the ankle, preferably curved to fit the contour of the ski boot and padded on the inside to protect the boot. Upper and lower fastening means are provided above and below the ankle, respectively, for fastening the upper and lower portions, respectively, of the side plates securely in position in contact with the boot so that the upper fastening means and and the upper portions of the side plates surround the boot above the ankle and the lower fastening means and lower portions of the side plates surround the boot mostly below the ankle. Rigid stirrup means, preferably of stainless steel, are secured to the sole of the boot and to the lower portion of the stiffening plates.

Numerous features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Brief description of the drawing FIGS. 1 and 2 show a view of boot stiffening means according to the invention showing outside and inside plates, respectively;

3,498,754 Patented Nov. 5, 1968 FIG. 3 is a view of an alternate inside stiffening plate;

FIG 4 is a sectional view of the plate of FIG. 3 through section 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the inside plate of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a view of the stirrup.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments With reference now to the drawing and more particularly FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown an embodiment of the invention attached to a ski boot. Stiffening plates 10 and 11 are shown extending from bottom toward the top of the boot and covering the ankle. An upper back strap 12 is riveted to the back of both side plates and fits around the rear portion of the boot. It is preferably adjustable as to tightness by use of snaps, buckles, lacing, rivets or similar suitable means. An upper strap such as 13 is riveted to the front of each side plate and connected together with the other upper strap by a mechanism such as a buckle 14. Preferably the buckle is located on the outside side of the boot so that the buckle pressure point is on the outside side of the boot. That is, the buckle is preferably on the right side of a right boot and on the left side of a left boot. The upper back strap 12, the upper pair of front straps 13, the buckle 14 and the upper portions of side plates 10 and 11 comprise fastening means surrounding the boot above the ankle.

Lower back strap 15 is fastened to the lower back portion of side plates 10 and 11 by rivets or other suitable .means, preferably pivotally secured.

and connected together by a mechanism such as a buckle 18, also preferably located on the outside of the boot. Preferably, strap 16 is pivotally secured to plate 10 as shown to facilitate optimum positioning of straps 16 and 17. Straps 15, 16, and 17 should be pivotally secured for best results.

The lower portion of side plate 11 is formed with a loop 21 for receiving a ring 22 which grips the upper hook 23 of a stirrup 24, preferably of stainless steel and shown in FIG. 6, that is slipped under the boot or screwed to the sole.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a view of a preferred form of side stiffening plate 10 to be used on the inside of the boot. Side plate 10 is generally similar to side plate 11 with back upper strap 12 positioned to essentially the corresponding upper back portion of inside side plate 10 as on outside side plate 11. However, front upper side strap 13 is preferably positioned a little bit further down from the top than is front upper strap 13 of the outside side plate.

Side plate 10 is preferably formed with a tap 32 extending upward and rearward for receiving lower back strap 15. Inside side plate 10 is also preferably formed with a tab 34 extending upward and forward from the bottom portion of the inside side plate to which lower front strap 36 is pivotally attached to permit optimum positioning of the side plates. Inside side plate 10 is also preferably formed with a hook 41 at its lowermost portion for receiving a ring 42, which may be a movable half ring, to which hook 43 of stirrup 24 is attached.

There has been described a novel ski boot stiffener that solidly sandwiches the ankle between the two side plates. The upper straps urge the two side plates together with great strength. The lower straps function both for forcing the side plates together and to force the foot downward into the boot by pressing down on the instep to keep the skiers heel from slipping in the boot without the need of long thongs.

It is evident that those skilled in the art may now make numerous uses and modifications of and departures from the specific embodiment described herein without departing from the inventive concepts. Consequently, the invention is to be construed as embracing each and every novel feature and novel combination of features present in or possessed by the apparatus and techniques herein disclosed and limited solely by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. Ski boot stiffening means comprising:

first and second substantially rigid side plate means of length sufficient to extend above and below the ankle for embracing opposite sides of a ski boot enclosing the ankle,

upper and lower fastening means attached to the upper and lower portions respectively of said first and second side plate means for fastening the latter plate means securely in position in contact with said ski boot so that said upper fastening means and said upper plate means surround said boot above the ankle and said lower fastening means and said lower portions of said side plate means surround said boot mostly below the ankle,

and substantially rigid stirrup means for securing to the sole of said boot and to said lower portions of said side plate means.

2. Ski boot stiffening means in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lower fastening means are pivotally attached to said lower portions of said side plate means.

3. Ski boot stiffening means in accordance with claim 2 wherein said upper and lower fastening means comprise releasable adjustable strap means for facilitating selective removal and snug attachment of said side plates to said boot.

4. Ski boot stiffening means in accordance with claim and further comprising means for releasably securing said stirrup means to said lower portion of said side plate means.

5. Ski boot stiffening means in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means for releasably securing comprises a mating ring and hook arrangement.

6. Ski boot stiffening means in accordance with claim 3 and further comprising means for releasably securing said stirrup means to said lower portion of said side plate means.

7. Ski boot stiffening means in accordance with claim 6 wherein said means for releasably securing comprises a mating ring and hook arrangement.

8. Ski boot stiffening means in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising said ski boot:

said first and second side plate means extending above and below the ankle location of said boot on opposite sides thereof,

said upper and lower fastening means fastening said first and second side plate means securely against said ski boot with said upper fastening means and said upper portions of said side plate means surrounding said boot above said ankle location and said lower fastening means and said lower portions of said side plate means surrounding said boot mostly below said ankle location,

said stirrup means being fastened to the sole of said boot and to said lower portions of said side plate means.

9. Ski boot stiffening means in accordance with claim 8 wherein said lower fastening means are pivotally attached to said lower portions of said side plate means.

10. Ski boot stiffening means in accordance with claim 2 wherein said upper and lower fastening means comprise releasable adjustable strap means for facilitating selective removal and snug attachment of said side plates to said boot.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner. 

